LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The University of Idaho women's golf team, thanks to two top-10 starts, is fifth after the opening-round of the UNLV Spring Rebel Invitational at Boulder Creek Golf Club.

Juniors Teo Poplawski and Kayla Mortellaro set the pace for the Vandals, who opened with an 18-hole 297 - just one stroke out of fourth and their second-best round of the season. Poplawski is fourth after opening with a three-under 69, which included four birdies and just one bogey.

"Teo played a very solid round of golf," coach Lisa Johnson said. "She was happy with it but in talking to her after the round, she felt like she could have scored better."

Mortellaro, ranked sixth among the world's amateurs in last week's rankings, is tied for seventh at one-under 71. She struggled with three bogeys on the front nine before settling in with four birdies on the back.

"Kayla was extremely impressive in that she was able to turn her round around after starting out three-over on the front," said Johnson, noting the 20 mph winds that blew during the day.

BYU's Kelsey Vines is the first-round leader at six-under 66 to help the Cougars forge a two-stroke lead over first-day runner-up Oklahoma, 280-282.

Johnson said the younger Vandals were impressive in their rounds. Choi was five over on two holes (one and 18) but otherwise played even par, while Schory had a short run of inconsistency but otherwise was solid in her first tournament of the spring.

The tournament continues Tuesday and concludes Wednesday. You can follow the tournament live at www.golfstat.com.